Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide for methods of treating cancer and detecting CCR5 on circulating tumor cells and uses thereof based upon the same.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide for methods of treating cancer and detecting CCR5 on circulating tumor cells and uses thereof based upon the same.

Abstract: Provided are caged compounds comprising a ligand that specifically reacts with a receptor not naturally present in mammals. The cage is released from the ligand upon illumination of the compound with light. Also provided are cells transfected with a gene of interest and a gene encoding a receptor, the gene of interest operably linked to a genetic element capable of being induced by the receptor when bound to a ligand, and the receptor not naturally present in the species of the cell. The cells also comprise a caged ligand of the receptor. Additionally provided are methods of inducing a gene of interest in the above cells. Also provided are methods of repressing a gene of interest in a cell using caged ligands of receptors. Methods are additionally provided for inducing elimination of a target sequence in a cell of a species, using a caged ligand and a recombinase.